Philippines

Manila is considered one of the most underrated cities in Asia, though some people call it “the pearl of the Orient”. This vibrant, fast developing and multicultural city is probably not for everyone, but it is a blast for those who are not afraid of jumping into its bustling sprawl to enjoy the beautiful and culturally complicated chaos of the Manila streets.

Don’t forget to enjoy numerous historic and religious monuments, national museums and parks, authentic cuisine, great shopping and, of course, crazy nightlife. Due to climatic concerns, it would be best to prepare some items in advance to ensure that you can fully enjoy your city walking!

Among the 7000 islands the Philippines has to offer, every traveller will find something special and delightful. It’s no secret that this country claims some of the world’s most spectacular sunsets, so pick an island, head to a beach bar and just watch life go by, soaking in the moment. El Nido and Coron beaches on Palawan Island, Boracay Island, Panglao in Bohol, Bantayan Island, Siargao Islands - these are merely a handful of the most beautiful beaching destinations you shouldn’t miss!

The Philippines is the ultimate destination for snorkeling and scuba diving, and here’s why: between the months of November and June, you can take part in an unforgettable experience by snorkeling with whale sharks in Dosol Bay (diving is forbidden there). Also, don’t miss the Alaminos Islands with their giant clam sanctuary and Apo Island which features giant turtles!

Diving highlights include the World Heritage site of Tubbataha, thresher sharks at Malapascua, big pelagics at Panagatan and the wrecks of Subic Bay. But there are definitely more, including are Puerto Galera (which boasts a huge diversity of fish year-round) , Apo Island (great macro diving and good chances to see bigger marine life like sharks, turtles, manta rays, and barracudas), Busuanga (great wreck diving) and Mindanao Island dive sites (famous for a coral system).

In the Philippines there are plenty of hiking opportunities, from easy one-day walks to challenging multi-day treks. Among the most famous ones are Mt. Pinatubo (1486 m, January is the best time to visit), Mt. Kanlaon (2435 m, February to May) and the highest peak in the country, Mt. Apo (2954 m, March to May). However, you might opt for some other beautiful treks as well. Mt. Mayon is famous for having the most symmetrical volcanoes in the world, and Mt. Bulusan is celebrated for its diverse eco-system.

However, volcanoes aren’t the only great hiking opportunities in the Philippines. Enjoy trekking in the rice terraces - one of the most breathtaking landscapes can be found in Banaue. Or, do a small hike in one of the country’s signature sites - the Chocolate Hills, an unusual geological formation in Bohol. And you definitely won’t want to miss the chance to see the smallest primates on Earth - endemic tarsiers!

Also, your typical hiking boots are not the best option in the tropical rainforest due its very high humidity. Since normal hiking boots are made of leather, some organisms could find them attractive and move in there. If this happens, then after only a few days of trekking, you’ll basically need to throw them away. When I was preparing for my first jungle experience, I searched far and wide to find the type of boots which would be the best for me. Then, I recalled that the US army had created jungle boots specifically for its soldiers when there was a war in Vietnam. I googled this and ended up buying a pair of these boots. After I did few treks in them, I realized that I had made a very smart choice. The boots are made with an artificial fabric and materials which get dry much quicker than normal hiking boots (which is ideal, considering humidity). They also have very good ankle support and they are tall, so you can wear your leech socks and you won’t be afraid of getting bitten. But of course, light trekking boots with synthetic material would be also a good option, especially if the trek is short.

Other items mentioned below are also musts for jungle trekking. Garbage bags, for example, could be very useful when you have a boat ride somewhere in the depths of the jungle. If you put all your bags in separate garbage bags and seal them with a sealing tape, it keeps them from getting wet if it’s raining. I usually use 2-3 garbage bags for each of my bags - a solution which costs much less than a raincover for your bags. Additionally, considering how heavy the rain in the jungles can be, a raincover won’t really help you at all!

Great surfing is found easily in The Philippines! However, the waves are a bit variable, so plan to stay for a few days to make sure that you can catch some good waves. The best time for surfing is from October to January. Center Islands, Mindanao, Luzon and Siargao Islands are the best places in the country to enjoy this exciting watersport.

The Philippines is a home to the longest navigable underground river in the world! It’s called Palawan Underground River or St. Paul Subterranean River. Another most-visited cave is Odloman Cave located in Negros. This expansive cave in Mabinay stretches 8.9 km long. It is considered as the 2nd longest and 6th deepest cave in the country, famous for its large galleries, active stream water, and a mix of crystalline formations. The country’s deepest cave is the Sumaging-Latipan-Lomyang Crystal Cave, and you shouldn’t miss it if you want to see stunning natural streams, stone walls, and intricate limestone formations. Frankly speaking, there is an abundance of caving activity to be done in this country, so all you need to do is be prepared!

Make sure you are up-to-date on routine vaccines before every trip. These vaccines include the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot. The following vaccination recommendations are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) webpage.

The Philippines is a place where it's better be prepared and take care of proper treatment in advance. Make sure you have something in advance against the following symptoms: